Preds Reassign Halischuk to Milwaukee (AHL)

Today's roster move signals good news on the health front for the Preds. Halischuk had been playing solid hockey; contributing high energy minutes while playing in all 11 games after his recall. Since Coach Trotz prefers to have flexibility with his roster, Halsichuk's reassignment is a strong hint that Marcel Goc or Marek Svatos (or perhaps both) are close to returning to the lineup. Goc indicated Saturday that he was real close to playing Saturday night and Svatos has returned to skating with the team during practice.

When both return, the Preds will have experienced roster depth up front giving the coaching staff some interesting options to play with on a game-to-game basis.

At the same time, should a need re-arise, the Preds have established a very deep group of recall options in Milwaukee -- Halishcuk and Chris Mueller were solid in recent opportunities, Andreas Thuresson was a reliable contributor during last season's playoff run, Linus Klasen has been dangerous in the AHL and looked to be adjusting during his second NHL look in late December, and Blake Geoffrion has been one of the best players in the AHL over the last month.--Jay Levin, NashvillePredators.com

Nashville, Tenn. (February 13, 2011) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has reassigned forward Matt Halischuk (mat HUH-lihs-chuhk) to Milwaukee (AHL).

Halischuk, 22 (6/1/88), has played 11 games for Nashville this season – all since making his club debut on Jan. 16 at Chicago – posting three points (1g-2a) and a +1 rating while averaging 9:46 per game. The Toronto, Ont., native, acquired from New Jersey in the offseason, returns to Admirals where he has 17 points (9g-8a) in 31 games.

Coming off a 5-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche last night, the Predators play five of their seven remaining February games at Bridgestone Arena, starting with the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday at 7 p.m. (FOX Sports Tennessee, 102.9 FM The Buzz). Tuesday’s game is a Daily’s Super Tuesday, where fans can get two upper-level tickets for $42 or two lower-level tickets for $92. There will also be special concession stands where all items are just $2, as well as a reduced $2 ticket service fee. The Preds also take on the Vancouver Canucks (Thursday at 7 p.m., 102.9 The Buzz) and Phoenix Coyotes (Saturday at 7 p.m., 102.9 The Buzz) this week. Limited tickets for all home games are still available and may be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office, by calling (615) 770-PUCK (7825) or online via nashvillepredators.com.